Two years of stubborn deterioration gave way to one week of aggressive reconstruction. A once-proud franchise seems to be back on its feet. This is Clark Hunt’s moment, and barring a massive departure from character, he will let others soak up the spotlight.

But if his Chiefs scratch back to respectability, these are the decisions we will remember.

Romeo Crennel, a fine man but overmatched NFL head coach, is gone. Scott Pioli, who became his own worst enemy and created unnecessary adversaries both inside and out of the Chiefs’ offices, is gone. The old restraints are gone.

In place of Crennel comes Andy Reid, the most accomplished coach available unless Jon Gruden changes his mind and returns to the sidelines. It’s a happy time, finally. The New Chiefs are only a few days old now, but it’s hard to think of how Hunt could’ve better handled his most critical moment of running his family’s franchise, and Kansas City’s most cherished institution other than barbecue.

This is Hunt’s finest hour, an undeniable big-boy move to turn the Chiefs into winners. The free jerseys for season ticket-holders were nice, but this goes much further with fans.

He’s not the type, but now would be a fine time for Hunt to bow.

However this ends up, Hunt has now done his honest best to wipe away the worst and most miserable season in Chiefs history with a hope and credibility that’s been missing for some time.

Reid had his issues in Philadelphia with clock management and big games — and just got fired after going 4-12 — but he also helped the Eagles to sustained success with different rosters that most teams would love to emulate.

If Reid helps drive the Chiefs to the Super Bowl, it would fit the pattern of many football men who found bigger success in their second job. Tom Coughlin spent eight years in Jacksonville before winning two Super Bowls with the Giants. Tony Dungy was fired in Tampa Bay before winning a title in Indianapolis. Gruden failed with the Raiders before winning big with the Bucs. Bill Belichick flopped in Cleveland before becoming the most successful coach in recent NFL history.

All told, seven of the last 11 Super Bowl winners were coached by a man in his second job.

Of course, Crennel was also in his head-coaching sequel, so this can all be picked apart. The Pioli hiring looked awfully good in the moment, too, before Hunt’s handpicked GM became obsessed with too many things that had nothing to do with drafting and signing good football players.

Maybe the new general manager will leave personnel success in his old job the same way Pioli left it in New England. Maybe Reid is a burnout. We’ll get those answers soon enough. In the meantime, we can judge how Hunt approached this week, and in that way the man deserves a standing ovation.

The bet with Reid is that he’s a smart man who’s more in need of a change in scenery than a break from the NFL grind. Hunt made that judgment, and after an apparent nine-hour interview a mistake wouldn’t be for lack of diligence.

Mostly, though, today is about a fresh start. Clean board. Even within the Chiefs’ offices, there was some surprise and concern when Pioli wasn’t fired on Monday. Not everyone hated working for him, you might be surprised to know, but wanting to drop the baggage and shush the noise attached to Pioli was a near consensus.

Pioli may very well go on to success at his next job — he’s a smart man, and respected mind — but it was never going to happen in Kansas City. This has been obvious to most everyone in and around the Chiefs organization for a while, and now that a new GM is on the way, a short delay in firing the old one will likely be remembered as nothing more than a footnote.

Whatever the true reasons were for waiting to fire Pioli, the franchise — and just as importantly, its new head coach — can move forward less encumbered by an ugly recent history.

Whether Reid and whomever ends up as the new GM here work out or not, this is what had to be done for the Chiefs to have a chance. No matter how many protest banners fly over the stadium, Kansas City will always love the Chiefs.

Kotter: "You are lucky I'm truly not the vindictive or psycho type...I'd be careful from now on, and I'd just back the hell off if I were you....otherwise, the Mizzou "extension office" life might get exciting"

I know, right? Apparently we have become so accustomed to settling and owning the loser label that when someone actually FINALLY DOES THEIR JOB they deserve a parade, a party, banners, and other sorts of accolades.

I don't get it.

__________________Meet the new boss same as the old boss.

BigChiefDave:"Anyone who thought we would only be in Iraq for a few years is either stoned or just stoopid."
"It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last 6 days, 6 wks. I doubt 6 mths." Rummy 2/7/03

Give me a ****ing break. Anyone who wants to criticize Clark at this point is a ****ing idiot beyond reprieve. He went out 4 years ago and hired THE VERY BEST CANDIDATE AVAILABLE. How was he to know it wouldn't work out? He couldn't possibly. And the second it became apparent that it was a dumpster fire, he sidelined his personal feelings, dumped everyone, and went out and HIRED THE VERY BEST CANDIDATE AVAILABLE. All at great expense to himself, and his family. **** you assholes. Clark Hunt is a GREAT owner.

Give me a ****ing break. Anyone who wants to criticize Clark at this point is a ****ing idiot beyond reprieve. He went out 4 years ago and hired THE VERY BEST CANDIDATE AVAILABLE. How was he to know it wouldn't work out? He couldn't possibly. And the second it became apparent that it was a dumpster fire, he sidelined his personal feelings, dumped everyone, and went out and HIRED THE VERY BEST CANDIDATE AVAILABLE. All at great expense to himself, and his family. **** you assholes. Clark Hunt is a GREAT owner.

Who is criticizing him? I have not read anyone doing so on this thread?

He made a great hire after addressing a long standing error. Yeah! Yippee! Congrats, Clark! Anything more than that recognition is going overboard, IMO.

I know our standards of success have been depleted in this town but let's not forget that we were filled with the same hope and faith four years ago. Let's enjoy it for what it is a good FIRST STEP.

__________________Meet the new boss same as the old boss.

BigChiefDave:"Anyone who thought we would only be in Iraq for a few years is either stoned or just stoopid."
"It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last 6 days, 6 wks. I doubt 6 mths." Rummy 2/7/03

Who is criticizing him? I have not read anyone doing so on this thread?

He made a great hire after addressing a long standing error. Yeah! Yippee! Congrats, Clark! Anything more than that recognition is going overboard. I know our standards of success have been depleted in this town but let's not forget that we were filled with the same hope and faith four years ago.

Let's enjoy it for what it is a good FIRST STEP.

What more can Clark Hunt do? Why should he not be praised as a great owner for spending the money to fix what's wrong? People insinuating he shouldn't be praised and congratulated are asinine. He spent a ton of money to fix a mistake. And it's money he didn't have to spend. He could've kept Pioli and let him hire another guy, and try to draft a franchise QB. All reports were that was what he wanted to do. But he didn't. Because he recognized that Pioli was a pariah in this league. So he spent the money and not only fixed it, but went straight to work to hire his guy. Jumped in front of Arizona, and spent 9 hours selling the Chiefs to Andy Reid. AFAIC, he's one of, if not the very best owner in this league. I'll be dangling off of Clark's nutsack for at least the next 4-5 years. Happily.

What more can Clark Hunt do? Why should he not be praised as a great owner for spending the money to fix what's wrong? People insinuating he shouldn't be praised and congratulated are asinine. He spent a ton of money to fix a mistake. And it's money he didn't have to spend. He could've kept Pioli and let him hire another guy, and try to draft a franchise QB. All reports were that was what he wanted to do. But he didn't. Because he recognized that Pioli was a pariah in this league. So he spent the money and not only fixed it, but went straight to work to hire his guy. Jumped in front of Arizona, and spent 9 hours selling the Chiefs to Andy Reid. AFAIC, he's one of, if not the very best owner in this league. I'll be dangling off of Clark's nutsack for at least the next 4-5 years. Happily.

Again, he did a great job removing the cancer and BEGINNING the healing with Reid. He has pledged to become more involved and not just an absentee owner. We have to see how he balances that duty, who he signs off on as GM, how the draft goes for starters.

Throwing money at a problem is not always the way to fix it. Remember the elation of the Pioli signing just four years ago. This place feels very similar though the number of 'wait and seers' seems to be higher for obvious reasons.

One can be thrilled for the hire but not yet ready to throw a party or shower Hunt with accolades for fixing a mess he helped create.

If you were dangling four years ago then Clark's nut sack must be pretty droopy by now....

__________________Meet the new boss same as the old boss.

BigChiefDave:"Anyone who thought we would only be in Iraq for a few years is either stoned or just stoopid."
"It is unknowable how long that conflict will last. It could last 6 days, 6 wks. I doubt 6 mths." Rummy 2/7/03

Again, he did a great job removing the cancer and BEGINNING the healing with Reid. He has pledged to become more involved and not just an absentee own signs of on as GM, how the draft goes for starters.

Remember the elation of the Pioli signing just four years ago. This place feels very similar though the number of 'wait and seers' seems to be higher for obvious reasons.

One can be thrilled for the hire but not yet ready to throw a party or shower Hunt with accolades for fixing a mess he helped create.

How did he help create it? How? The guy is not, and should not, be Jerry ****ing Jones. He hired someone whom he, and many others around the league, thought was qualified to run football operations, and then stayed the **** out of the way. Like he's supposed too.

It didn't work out, and he's doing it again, only this time with a coach instead of a GM. Do you think he should decide who to draft? Maybe he should hold polls and let the fans decide?

He's doing EVERYTHING he's supposed to do, and no more. As far as the wait and see'ers go, well, everyone's earned the right. But Clark Hunt is NOT the problem. He's a Goddamned saint as far as I'm concerned. Because he clearly gives a shit about football.